Shows
Count Me In®Ep. 285: Rachel Kourakos - Want to Be a Better Leader? Get to Know YourselfJoin host Adam Larson as he chats with the insightful Rachel Kourakos, transition and leadership coach at Rachel Kourakos Coaching & Consulting, about the art of human interactions and mastering self-awareness. Rachel shares impactful stories and practical tips on understanding others' needs, handling feedback constructively, and managing emotions consciously. They discuss the beauty and opportunities within change, the power of self-talk, and how to approach life’s transitions with positivity. Rachel emphasizes that everyone makes choices that shape their experiences—whether we realize it or not. Tune in to learn how adopting a leadership mindset, practicing empat...2024-10-2142 min
Life is Hard, God is GoodQ&A Part 2: Christian Community, Favorite Scripture Passages & Worship Songs, and Keeping Christ at the Center of RelationshipsSend us a textHey friends!Thanks for listening! This is part 2 of Drew & Rachel answering your questions. Today’s episode covers Christian community, Bible passages and worship songs that have helped us in our faith journey, and how to practically maintain purity & keep Christ at the center of dating relationships. Let’s dive in together!Christian CommunityYouth Group MemoriesStaying in touch with friends when you graduateHow Christian community benefits your Christian walkSpeaking truth in love when you need to be challenged“M...2024-10-0948 min
Thriving with 8 PodcastThriving Through Kindness & Compassion// Rachel BonnerRachel Bonner and her husband wanted to teach kids about different aspects of life that we may never experience, but would be helpful to understand, in order to show increased kindness and love to others. They were inspired to write A Cultivate Series, which consists of 3 wonderful children's books with alternate endings to help kids develop more awareness and compassion for others. As an inter-racial family, the Bonners have experienced first hand what it feels like not to be understood. As Rachel points out, "we only know what we know". Rachel shares her wisdom on te...2024-09-0619 min
Bonus BabiesRachel Elovitz: I Am Going To Do A Damn Good Job Because I Genuinely CareSend us a textJayne Amelia speaks with guardian ad litem and child advocate/attorney, Rachel Aliza Elovitz. Rachel has worked as a family law attorney for more than 27 years. In that capacity, she has represented fathers seeking to legitimate children (who were born out of wedlock), grandparents seeking visitation rights with grandchildren, third party relatives seeking custody of children who are being abused or neglected by their parents, parents hoping to protect their children from another parent's abuse - and parents who have been falsely accused of abuse in an effort to alienate them fr...2023-10-2755 min
Life is Hard, God is GoodNew Creation: Dustin | Jesus Changes Lives Episode 1Send us a textDustin once lived a very different life. But then he encountered Jesus. After walking with the Lord and learning about His love & His word, he is now one of the most servant-hearted people you'll ever meet.Listen to hear how God transformed Dustin's life! Now it is hard to imagine what he was like before knowing Jesus.Thanks for listening!If you like listening to the podcast, please rate, write reviews, and share with your friends!You can follow us on instagram @lifeishardgodisgoodpodcast or join our Facebook...2023-01-1832 min
Losing a Child: Always Andy's MomEpisode 174: Rachel's SisterSiblings share a special bond. Oftentimes older siblings can’t remember a time without their younger brother or sister, and younger siblings have certainly never known life without the older ones in it. They may fight or have habits that annoy each other, but deep down, most love each other. And, if you are really lucky, your brother or sister may even end up being your very best friend. That was the case for Norie and her sister Rachel. Their relationship was special. On the surface, their personalities could not be more different. Rachel was an extrovert with a...2023-01-1259 minLife is Hard, God is GoodNew Creation: Jesus Changes Lives | 2 Corinthians 5:17Send us a textHey friends! Jesus has the power to change lives. Before knowing Him, we were once dead in our sins, but now because of Him, we are alive in Christ. The purpose of this podcast series is sharing stories of people who have been marked and changed by Jesus. They once lived one way, and now they have new life.“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, and see, the new has come!” 2 Corinthians 5:172023-01-1103 minLife is Hard, God is GoodPeace | reflecting on 2022 and stepping into 2023Send us a textTaking some time to reflect on the 2022 year (my word for the year was "peace"), and trusting God with the new 2023 year - step by step."Because of our God’s merciful compassion,the dawn from on high will visit usto shine on those who live in darknessand the shadow of death,to guide our feet into the way of peace" (Luke 1:78-79)."Step by step You lead me, and I will follow You all of my days" (Sometimes by Step, Rich Mullins).2023-01-0516 minLife is Hard, God is GoodJesus is Lord | Advent Series Episode 5Send us a textOften we do not want Jesus to be Lord of our lives because:we do not want someone else telling us what is right and wrongwe want to be in control of our own liveswe don't understand how a good God could allow evil to existBut when we see His heart, we see:A holy & worthy Lord who lives up to His own standards and helps us when we fall shortA compassionate Creator who shows us the best ways that are beneficial to usA sovereign Lord who is so...2022-12-2821 minLife is Hard, God is GoodJesus is Not a Legend | Advent Series Episode 4Send us a textA tale of three atheists who argued against God and instead found evidence for Jesus:1. C.S. Lewis | atheist turned Christian theologian who wrote many books:Mere ChristianityThe Problem of Pain2. Dr. Jay L Wile | atheist nuclear chemistry PhD turned Christian who shares science as evidence for creation:Science BlogApologia Science Textbooks3. Lee Strobel - atheist journalist turned Christian author:The Case for Christ (book & movie)Passion City Church Podcast - The Case for Christ2022-12-2120 minLife is Hard, God is GoodJesus is Not a Lunatic | Advent Series Episode 3Send us a textJesus claimed to be God & man, claimed to die & raise to life again, and said some other really strange things... how do we know He's not a lunatic?Join us as we find answers in His word and in who He is is.2022-12-1520 minLife is Hard, God is GoodJesus is Not a Liar | Advent Series Episode 2Send us a textA lot of people think Jesus was a liar because of the things that He claimed while He was on earth. In this episode, we find what scripture says about His claims:1. He claimed to be God and man2. He claimed to fulfill scripture3. He claimed to die on the cross and raise to life4. He claimed that He is coming backThanks for joining us! 2022-12-0716 minLife is Hard, God is GoodJesus is Not Santa Claus | Advent Series Episode 1Send us a textWith Christmas approaching, it's important to remember why we are celebrating and why we believe what we believe. Especially as conversations arise with your family over holiday meals, when co-workers ask about your faith, or your friends share their different beliefs. In this Advent series, we are exploring C.S. Lewis' argument that Jesus claiming to be both God and man either makes Him a Liar, a Lunatic, a Legend, or Lord. In addition to the 4 Ls, we are exploring how Jesus and Santa Claus are not the same. If...2022-11-3012 minLife is Hard, God is GoodSpecial Thanksgiving Episode & Advent AnnouncementSend us a textLet us give thanks! In this episode we explore the importance of thanksgiving and the impact it has on changing our lives!Also listen to the end of the episode to hear about the Christmas series starting next week!Thanks for joining and have a great week!2022-11-2314 minLife is Hard, God is GoodIs Christianity a Religion?Send us a textShould Christianity be categorized as a religion? What sets Christians apart from the rest of the world and other religions?Thanks for listening! Please join us on Instagram and Facebook; rate, write reviews, and share with your friends! We love to hear how God is speaking to you!Much love!2022-11-1715 minLife is Hard, God is GoodHebrews 12 | EnduranceSend us a textFaith is being sure of what you hope for and certain of what you do not see. Hebrews 11 is the “great faith” chapter that goes through examples in the Bible of people who had faith in our faithful God despite their seen circumstances.Faith is awesome - It’s trusting in the invisible even when the visible circumstances don’t make sense.However, we as believers also need ENDURANCE as we walk this life with Jesus or as we run this race.In light of those wh...2022-11-0918 minLife is Hard, God is GoodHow to Share the Gospel with Drew LarsonSend us a textHello friends! Join my husband and me as we talk about sharing the gospel!Why sharing the gospel is so importantWhat is hard about sharing & how to overcomeWays to share the gospel & adviceThanks for listening!2022-11-0233 minLife is Hard, God is GoodDealing with Change Part 2 | Healing & ContinuingSend us a textDo you believe that Jesus can really heal you? That He can forgive you?If you have been healed & forgiven, do you ever feel stuck? Or feel the urge to go back to your struggle?Check out this week's episode about healing & continuing!Thanks for listening!Scripture: Romans 8:1-11, Isaiah 61:1-9, Luke 4:16-21, Luke 18:35-43, Luke 5:17-26, Luke 5:30-32, Numbers 11:4-5, Romans 6:1-14, 2 Corinthians 3:17-4:18.P.S. The blog is coming soon - so excited for you to see it!2022-10-2624 minLife is Hard, God is GoodDealing with Change Part 1Send us a textChange can be hard - change in work, relationships, life circumstances, moving, loss… but we have hope!1. Jesus knows change. He went from heaven to earth - so He can empathize with our changes.2. Jesus does not change. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever - so we can rely on Him when our circumstances change.3. Jesus changes us. He heals and forgives - so we can let Him change our heats & minds to be more like Him.Stay tuned for part 2!2022-10-1918 minLife is Hard, God is GoodWorry & ControlSend us a textWhen Jesus was visiting Martha & Mary, Martha was all in a hustle - worried about serving well. She was controlling the food, distracted by what she was doing, and trying to be a good host.Here’s what the passage says:“While they were traveling, He entered a village, and a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home. She had a sister named Mary, who also sat at the Lord’s feet and was listening to what He said. But Martha was distracted by her many tasks, and she ca...2022-10-1215 minLife is Hard, God is GoodJapan | Purpose, Preparation, & ProvisionSend us a textWhy are we moving to Japan? What are we doing there? How have we seen God providing in the midst of preparation? My husband Drew & I talk about our move in this episode - so listen & find out!2022-09-1426 minLife is Hard, God is GoodTwo Broken EngagementsSend us a textI had an idol of marriage.Engagement is so special because it’s this idea of “already, but not yet.”You have your chosen person and you get to celebrate & plan your lives together.Engagement is where we are as believers - we have accepted His proposal of dying for us and rising up from the grave so that we can be with Him.If you have said YES to His proposal, we are just waiting on the wedding celebration when He returns and then we get...2022-09-0714 minLife is Hard, God is GoodFaithSend us a textFaith is a word that is thrown around a lot in the Christian world, but what even is faith?Here's what Hebrews 11 tells us about FAITH:it is being sure of what you hope for and certain of what you do not seeby it is our ancestors won God's approvalwithout it, it is impossible to please GodToday we are diving into specificallyFaith in the unseen | 2 Cor 4:16-18Faith & action | James 2:14-26Faith in He Who is Greater | Hebrews 11, Matthew 8:23-27, Daniel 32022-08-3119 minLife is Hard, God is GoodYou are LovedSend us a textHey there friends! Let me remind you how loved you are. Sometimes it is hard for us to accept, but I hope you can listen and let these words wash over you.Reasons you might think you are not loved:Bad things happen People hurt youThe most important question that God would ask you (according to Brennan Manning): Did you believe that I loved you? That I desired you? That I waited for you day after day? That I longed to hear the sound of your voice?2022-08-2414 minLife is Hard, God is GoodPsalm 73 | God is our GoodSend us a textWe are diving into Psalm 73 today!God is good - even in the good, even in the bad.Evil seems to win - it does not seem fair, we do not see the full picture, we need God's perspective.What is our response - How do you respond when you see evil win? How do you respond when you see others get what you want? Do you turn to God with your questions? Or leave Him out because He isn’t giving you what you want?He is enough - He is wi...2022-08-1714 minLife is Hard, God is GoodMarriage, Moving, and Q&A with Drew LarsonSend us a textHey guys! It was so fun having my husband Drew on the podcast this week! We have a few fun things we are sharing this week:1. The story of how God brought us togetherHow we met, started dating, and got engaged.2. Our moving plansWe have a big announcement about moving overseas Lord-willing this fall!3. Q&A Session (questions from you guys!!!)What were the main things that made you decide to get married?What was your favorite part(s) of wedding day?Combating fears about...2022-08-101h 03Life is Hard, God is GoodLife Updates | Good Gifts & FaithSend us a textHey friends! Life has been crazy busy & so good, and I'm thrilled to share a snapshot of the big things God's been doing in my life and what's coming up!Be sure to follow us on Instagram @lifeishardGodisgoodpodcast and join our Facebook group for more updates!Much love!2022-08-0304 minBonus BabiesRachel Malley: I Love That I Get To Have Such A Direct ImpactSend us a textJayne Amelia speaks with CASA volunteer and book publisher, Rachel Malley. Rachel started volunteering as a Court Appointed Special Advocate in 2019 when she learned about the power of best-interest advocacy for children who have experienced abuse or neglect. During that time she has worked with three wonderful children, and witnessed the ups and downs of Care and Protection cases. At the time of this writing, all the of the three children are in loving and supportive homes. In addition to her role as a CASA, for the last five years Rachel ha...2022-06-0347 min
Recover Your Soul: A Spiritual Path to a Happy and Healthy LifeSeth Larson of Something Underground- Not Taking Things Personally, The Choice to Not Play the Victim and Learning to be UncomfortableSend one way text to Rev Rachel In this episode Seth Larson of the band Something Underground and new dad- shares on his Soul Recovery journey including a choice to stop playing a victim, learning to be okay when he or others are uncomfortable, and not taking things personally- just to name a few of our conversation topics. The end of the episode includes the track 'Love Each Other' that I wrote a few years ago. Seth collaborated with me for this recording and plays guitar along with vocals. His brother Josh Larson is on bass, and m...2022-04-181h 00